Bollywood stands divided on the India-Pakistan cricket match
Rishi Kapoor tweets on India vs Pakistan cricket match
Rishi Kapoor
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Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit on Sunday called for a boycott of the much-awaited India-Pakistan Champions Trophy cricket match in England on Sunday, citing the recent cross-border tensions. But Bollywood names like Rishi Kapoor, Anubhav Sinha and Rahul Dholakia are waiting for the match to begin.
While many celebrities are glad that sport is being kept away from political tension between the two nations, Pandit, the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association Vice President, tweeted: "Dear cricketers, while you are busy playing with Pak. The families of martyrs who sacrificed their lives yesterday are crying. Boycott India Pakistan match. It's an insult to all those who have lost their lives because of Pakistan."
The Indian cricket team will start their Champions Trophy campaign on Sunday against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston.
As opposed to Pandit, there are a string of celebrities who are looking forward to the moment when the men in blue get to the field for a 'great match' with Pakistan.Here's what they tweeted:
Don't forget today's match is at a stadium in Birmingham not at the border in Wagah! It's cricket not war. Enjoy ! #INDvsPAK
— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) June 4, 2017
Sport is meant 2 bring people together. 'Hate' rhetoric demeans cricket. Destroys the spirit of the game. Lets have a great match #IndVsPak
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) June 4, 2017
It's interesting that you expect cricketers to pull out and not the BCCI or the Government. #MostPreferredNation https://t.co/gJRHbQWHik
— Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) June 4, 2017
To this Pandit responded:
Can't the players refuse to go on the field? Don't they owe any responsibility towards the soldiers.#BCCI & #Govt equally rspnsble. https://t.co/pPWl5xf3uz
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) June 4, 2017
Sinha rested his case with a post that read
IMHO this should be a policy matter not arbitrary. Can't have different policies for movies, cricket and businesses. Aap behtar jaante hain. https://t.co/fC5xAU7rNe
— Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) June 4, 2017
Amid the debate whether India should play with Pakistan or not, there were stars like Rishi Kapoor, Sajid Khan and Armaan Malik who were eager for the match to begin, and took to Twitter to cheer for the nation.
Birmingham. The biggest Blockbuster releasing tomorrow. You go ðÂÂu00c2u009fÂÂu00c2u0087®ðÂÂu00c2u009fÂÂu00c2u0087³ INDIA! pic.twitter.com/r9tTdBcxnM
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) June 3, 2017
INDIA...INDIA..INDIA..INDIA.. BHARAT MATA KI JAI! This is the whole tournament..the whole tournament is THIS.. #INDvPAK #TeamIndia #cantwait
— Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) June 4, 2017
Malik also shared: "This match is gonna be legendary!"